Running a nonprofit organization is a lot like running a business. You have to attract customers or donors, accept payments using payment processors and continue recruiting new members. Running a successful nonprofit organization takes a lot of continuous hard work and long-term commitments to your donors. Here are several steps to get started in the process.

Choose a Payment Processor

A nonprofit can obtain a merchant account from a third-party payment processor that allows them to accept credit or debit card payments. No money is needed to set up nonprofit payment processing, but fees may apply and vary by company. Funds are deposited directly into their bank account. Merchant account owners can also review payment transaction information, generate reports and manage donor lists.

Invest in Email Campaigns

Email is the number one source of communication for consumers nowadays. Email can be integrated into a marketing campaign used to generate and convert leads. A bulk email sender software allows you to send mass emails to thousands of subscribers. In a few minutes, it's possible to reach tens of thousands of people. Collecting subscribers is easy through a signup sheet on a blog or website that generates email lists.

Start Text Campaigns

Text message campaigns are designed to cater to millions of people who engage in texting. In fact, the average smartphone user checks his or her phone daily. This obsession with the phone could provide exceptional results for marketers. A quick text can send a solicitation to a new donor along with a link to a donation webpage.

Build a Social Media Presence

With billions of users, social media is another good source of increasing donations. If businesses can earn thousands of dollars in revenues from one social media campaign, nonprofit organizations can earn the same amount in donations. In addition, there is social media marketing to make the work of finding your targeted audiences easier.

Build a Network

Build a network of like-minded nonprofit business owners who are involved in the same industries. There are business and employment websites that make it easy for professionals to connect to each other. Have access to thousands of nonprofit owners, volunteers and donors from all over the world.

Start a Blog

Manage a blog to keep old and new donors informed about updates to your campaign. Incorporate different forms of multimedia into your blog posts using photos, videos, infographics, graphic designs, etc. Let people know what's going on with your campaign so they know the reasons why it's important to donate.

Hold Fundraisers

Many people love attending public events where they can participate in fun activities while supporting their favorite causes. Make a habit of holding well-known fundraisers at least once a year. Promote activities that will attract newer, younger donors and encourage them to become supporters.

Many people go into the nonprofit business only focused on what they want to do. They don't think about how they must do and the amount of time, effort and money that it takes. It's important to continually find traditional and unique ways to reach the wider community.

Author's Bio: 

Katie earned a BA in English from WWU and loves to write. She also adores hiking in redwood forests and photography. She feels happiest around a campfire surrounded by friends and family.